Breakups are never easy, particularly when it involves a band that has been there for you through your good, bad, and ugly days. They encapsulate your comfort, happiness, and aggression, all bundled into the musical connection shared between the artist and listener. Whether it’s the impact of the pandemic, causing a shuffle of artists coming and going, the rise in touring fees, or simply the members moving on with their lives, this year has already seen the farewell of several great bands, including KIX, The Agonist, Dark Fortress, Betraying the Martyrs, Russkaja, and more. Regrettably, similar to the list of disbanded bands we created a few years ago, we may need to reassess or compile a new one, given the increasing number of hiatuses, disbandments, and even surprising reunions. Perhaps, we might witness KISS announcing their 10th farewell tour, possibly featuring Slayer. Anything is possible.
With that said, here are four bands that have either announced their decision to disband:
01) Sharptooth:
Despite lineup changes and ways to reinvent, Baltimore, MD hardcore/punk group Sharptooth have suddenly decided to call it a day. No information, reason, or clarity was publicly revealed aside from their social media being practically bare, with a single post, shared on November 28th, stating “Thank You” with an image reflecting the years of the band’s activity “2013-2023.” Perhaps 2021 was a first sign when they parted ways with their original vocalist, Lauren Kashan and recruiting Marissa Ward in 2022, which soon led to their EP, Imperfect Animal, that appears to have been completely removed from Bandcamp. Ultimately leading us to a rabbit hole about, “what exactly happened,” it doesn’t take long to read statements from both vocalists, hearing things weren’t always what they seemed within the group. Ward has since issued a statement on her Instagram, which you can read here, shedding some light on what possibly happened, feeling “belittled, mocked, and disrespected.” Comparing the similarities between her feelings and the reason why Kashan left, who made an elaborate post a year after her decision. Ward went on to express that “Even the breakup announcement went without any previous member knowing or having a say.”
